Novelty top



Dec. 2, 1930. v. o. RAIMONDI NOVELTY TOP Filed Sept.

Patented Dec. 2, 1930 uui'rsb, TATES PATENT FFICE vrro ORAZIO BAIMONDI, OF CHICAGO, iLLnrors Application filed September 13, 1929. Serial No. 3 92,290.-

This invention relates to a noveltytop, and an ob ect is the provision of a simple yet durable top provided with a plurality of wings or leaves which are adapted to open when 5 the top is spun and strikes a surface. Asa

more specific object, the invention aims to forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the device in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionalview of the 7 device in closed position; i

3 is a vertical sectional view showing the foldable leaves in partially open position immediately after impact of the device with the surface upon which it is to revolve;

Fig. 4c is a vertical sectional view of the 30 device with the wings fully open, as in spin ning position;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed plan view of theretaining disk.

The preferred form of the device. illustrated in the drawings comprises a supporting stem 9, the upper portion of which is polygonal in cross-section, and adapted to make a sliding fit in a sleeve member 10 having a bore corresponding in cross-sectional outline with that of the, stem 9. The upper end of the stem member 9 is internally threaded to receive the threaded extension 11 depending from the c p' upp ried by the cap support 12 and preferably secured thereto by spot welding or equivalent method, is a dome-shaped hood 13, the outer peripheral edgeof which is tiiirned upwardly and inwardly and then down-' wardly to provide an annularlilangel l and an annulargroove'lffi.

Threaded upon the lower extremity of the 'sleeve 10 is a wing support 16, which is provided with an annular groove around the" upper periphery for the reception of aring 17 which is held in place by disk member 18. A plurality of wings 19 are pivotally mounted uponthe ring 17; As shown in Fig. 5, the wings 19 taper inwardly'and at the .inner edge each wing is turned. to form a socket which'is engaged by the ring 17, as shownin the several views, and in order to enable the wings to be folded upwardly the disk 18 has peripheral notches 20 disposed adjacent the respectivesocket portions of the wings. Downward movement of the wings is limited by a shoulder 21 provided on the support 16, and the latter has a relatively h large bore for receiving a compressionspring 22 which surrounds a portion of stem 9 and is disposed between the lower extremity of sleeve'lO and the'spinning head, 23 provided on the lower end of stem 9. The free ends of the wings 19 are preferably slightly flared outwardly as at 24 and in closing makesnap engagement with the annular groove 15 of the hood 13, in which position they are held as shown in Fig. 2, by means of the compres sion spring 22 which is of sufiicient strength to maintain the wings normally in closed position, butto yield under the weight of the is spun, and upon impact with the surface,

wing support 16*,andthe sleeveilO upon the impact of the spinning. head 23with a surstem 9 and consequently hood 1? are elevated relative to the sleeve 10 and connectedfparts whereby the device assumes the position shown inFig. The weight of the wings 19, together with the centrifugalforce; throw the wings outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, in which position the top is maintainediuntilthe momentum is decreased to .the' point where it no longer remains'erect.

As an additional feature of-ornamentation and attractiveness, each wing preferably carries upon its inner surface a miniature running horse 2'? or similar device, and the horses are preferably placed to face in the same direction. For re-use, wings 19 are merely folded upwardly and snapped into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where they are maintained until the next operation by the compression spring 22.

It will be understood that while stem 9 and sleeve 10 are movable longitudinally relative to each other, relative rotary motion is prevented by reason of the polygonal cross-sectional outline.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a stem provided with a spinning head, a sleeve member rotatable with said stem and slidable relative thereto, a plurality of wings pivotally mounted upon said sleeve member, a hood mounted upon said sleeve and adapted to engage said wings when in closed position, and yieldable means for normally maintaining said wings in closed engagement.

2. A device of the class described comprising a stem having a spinning head, a sleeve member slidably mounted upon said stem, a wing support carried by said sleeve member, a plurality of Wings pivotally mounted upon said Wing support, and means for engaging said wings to normally maintain same in closed position and adapted to release said wings upon impact of said spinning head with a surface.

3. A device of the class described comprising a stem having a spinning head, a sleeve member slidably mounted upon said stem, a wing support carried by said sleeve mem her, a plurality of wings pivotally mounted upon said wing support, and ahood member carried by said stem and adapted to engage and normally maintain said wings in closed position, and also adapted to release said wings upon impact of said spinning head with a surface.

4. A device of the class described comprising a stem having a spinning head, a sleeve member slidably mounted upon said stem, a. wing support carried by said sleeve member, a plurality of wings pivotally mounted upon said wing support, a hood member carried by said stem and adapted VITO ORAZIO RAIMONDI. 

